Dear Chris- month 5.5

Dear Christopher-- 

It's almost you half birthday- where has the time gone? I seem like a broken record saying that, but babyhood really does go by too fast.   You are right on the mark when it comes to hitting all your milestones- if not early.  You can sit up on your own pretty well, daddy calls you a level 1 sitter because sometimes if you turn your head you lose your balance and you tumble over. But in usual Chris fashion, you just go with the flow. In the next week you will be sitting by yourself almost completely unassisted. You have a strong core, you’ve always seem to be able to prop yourself up and hold position that appear to take a lot of strength. You love to be on your belly and generally speaking if we lay you down on your back it is just a matter of seconds before you are on your belly exploring what is in front of you.

You are fascinated by hands and just like your big brother, you have a very haptic nature.   You grab and examine everything we hand you. Keeping it in your hands for more than a minute or two can be a challenge, but you reach for it when your drop it now.   You also respond when we talk to you and you turn to look at us when we talk.  You are very alert and responsive, and so quick to smile when we see you.  Your smile melts hearts and I simply cannot get enough it.

Recently we have tried offering you some oats cereal since you are getting old enough to start solid foods now. But you wanted to no part of it. You don’t have any teeth yet, and really you aren’t showing many signs of teething yet either.  In the next few weeks maybe we will do some more experiments with cereal and other foods. You go to the doctor at the end of the month and I am sure she will give us the green light to start all kinds of stuff with you.  I can't wait to watch you explore it all. And I am sure Nick will love helping you. He loves you so much and always wants to share and assist you when you are upset.  He hugs and kisses you all the time, and judging by how you respond to him—you absolutely cannot get enough of him either. I can't wait to watch you both grow into such good friends.

I don’t know if it runs in the family, but both of my boys have been big poopers. I don’t know if it’s the diapers, but blowouts are a weekly (sometimes daily occurrence) for us. How does it happen? And how is it possible you can be so unphased by  it!?! You have a go-with-the-flow demeanor about you, you can be covered in poop and when we go to pull off your clothes you just smile and carry on like it’s no big deal.   Babyhood is so carefree, and you personify it perfectly.   You are so loving and lovable, I could smuggle and gaze into your beautiful blue eyes and brighten up the darkest of days.

This month you have been out with us on fun trips to Kings island, weddings, clam bakes, barbeques, family outings and been a joy though all of it. Can't wait for the weather to get even warmed and get you in the pool and do more fun outdoor stuff with your big brother.  So much to look forward too! Thank you for being such a beautiful and adorable little soul—inside and out. You are addictive and I am so thankful you bring so much joy into our lives. Can't wait to see what is in store for us next month.

Love you to the moon and back little peanut.

Mommy

Dear Chris (month 4.5)

My Dearest Christopher--




You are my little sunshine! I don't think I have ever met a happier baby than you (well, during the daylight hours). You are so full of life and so vibrant.... you smile just looking at us. And your love for your older brother is beyond words. I cant imagine you needing anything else in this world besides your brother on sad day because he seems to brighten your world any minute of the day. And I think the feeling is reciprocated, he seems to do anything for you and without pause will run to you and give you a kiss, or a hug, or just a pat if you need it.




You rolled over for me already which is amazing considering you are in the 90% percentile for your size. You definitely feel big at over 18lbs, but boy are your cheeks still completely and utterly adorable. You can grab and reach for things now, which makes the play mat and other rattles and toys accumulated even more interesting to you now. You can also stand up and play in your jumperoo and your johnny jump up we have hanging in our doorway. This will make preparing meals a lot easier now if you don't need to be held all the time. You are certainly attached to me-- but I cant blame you, I cant stand to be away from you either. I think this might play into some rough bed time routines right now (or lack there of)... but we'll get there.




You seem to be thriving at daycare and your brother loves to help with your drop off by putting your bottles away. I love to see you at the end of the day because your smiles are ever present.  You have always loved your baths and are pretty easy going in general. You take after your brother in the BM department though, blowouts and frequent outfit changes are a regular occurrence for us.  But in standard form you just go with the flow no matter what. This has made the last  four plus months with you so easy going,... from taking you to family events, bday parties, playdates, neighbors houses, you are a happy baby and love to be held no matter who is it and I love that about you.


I cant wait for the warmer weather and outside fun you will have this summer with Nick. I love our new little family of four and you have brought more happiness into this family than you will ever know. I just love you so much and enjoy every minute watching you grow. Thank you for being you, I love you so much little one. Cant wait to see what next month brings.


Love,
Mommy

Dear Christopher- Month 3 (.5)

Dear Christopher--

Welcome to this world! The last three plus month with you have been nothing shy of perfection.   You arrived on a sunny afternoon and your disposition couldn't be any sunnier. Unlike your older brother, you have been so vocal and animated from the very beginning. You have been talking to us since you saw us, and no-- not just crying-- actually making all kinds of sounds. You always have a lot to say! And we LOVE to listen.   You are pretty easy going in general, too. You will watch your big brother run around the house for hours on end and be happy as a clam doing so. He keeps you quite entertained. You definitely love him because no matter where he goes you want to see what he is doing. That love in reciprocal because Nick will run to you when he sees you sitting in the swing and start to cry, he will rock you and start up the music. Or bring you a pacifer if he thinks that will help. He has also noticed how much you love fans so he will run to turn it on in whatever room you may be and will watch it with you right by your side.  I cant wait to see you two grow up together, that brotherly love is so sweet and touches my heart to the core.



You are definitely one of the cutest and chubbiest little guys I've ever seen. Those cheeks of your are so amazing and incredibly irresistible. Your smile is contagious, and you were smiling at us earlier than your brother did. I got my first smile on January 1st (almost 6 weeks to the day) but daddy swears he saw some earlier. And i believe him, you smile at us and all we have to do is look at you. You are laughing now too and it's the best thing in the whole world.  You are ticklish too, we just rub that chubby little tummy and a gasp of laughter comes out.  We love your chubby-ness, your doctor says you are already in the 90th percentile for your weight. You've been in 6  month clothes for weeks now.  I bet you are going to be tall like your daddy. You are beautiful and perfect and I could just sit and stare at how adorable you are all day long.



You also are getting stronger by the day. You seem less bothered by tummy time, and you already have a strong neck and back. YOu can almost push yourself over in both directions, I could see that happening any day now too. Those fine motor skills are also progressing quickly too, just this week when i was watching you on your jungle  play mat I saw you reach out and grab one of those monkeys hanging down in front of you.



It's crazy how quick you grow and change when you are this small. Everyone seems to think you will have teeth early since you are already drooling a lot. But I dont see any signs of it right now.  You definitely take after your brother in how well you can fill a diaper-- i dont know how such little people can generate such large poops but ive moved you up a size in diapers this week because you need more room in those things.  I hope your sleep habits get better but so far you still do give us some full nights of sleep.  My favorite part about you is how happy you wake up and the smile you give us when you open your eyes and see us is better than anything in this world. The loving looks and how you can look so deep into our eyes, I swear you have an old soul. You are such an amazing little baby and I cant seem to get enough of you.



This month I went back to work and I miss you so much during the day. You seem to be doing alright and you take a bottle like a champ considering you didn't have any almost the entire first three months of your life. I miss being home with you boys while I am at work, but aleast the weather is starting to break and we have a lot of outdoor spring activities to look forward to with your brother while I am home.  I love you sweet little baby, cant wait to see what's in store for us in your fourth month. 


We love you so much,
Mommy

Dear Nick

Dear Nicholas,

You have changed so much I cant keep up with everything. And it scares me that i am missing things contantly-- the new words you are learning, your little nuances, your personality, your emotions, the little things that make you, you. Uniquely you, and just simply perfect just the way you are. It seems like you learn multiple words every day, you even put two words together now like "daddy work" and my favorite is when you say thank you- 'tank oo" ugh, just replaying it in my head makes my heart sing. YOu have really taken to a couple blankets ( you called it 'ee') and your stuffed mickey mouse ('mouse') and this other elephant that i am not sure how you refer to him. YOu pretty much drag them everywhere. YOu need them all in your hands when you get up in the morning, when reading your books at night, when going to bed. All the stuff in your hands you can barely see over it all, and it's ridiculously cute.

We just ordered your first big boy bed-- it should be delivered in the next couple weeks and you will make another big transition to a new room and a NEW bed. I hope you are excited as we are. We need to get a bookshelf in there asap to get all your books in there and we will have a new setting for bed time. We should also be finishing up the basement in the next few weeks so you can have a bigger-- better area for all your toys and games. Lots to look forward to those changes.

Your personality of ever apparent in everything you do. Yes, you do have some very typical tantrums that are unavoible for your age-- like those of frustrations when you cant do something, or when you absolutely DO NOT want to sit in a high chair, or at dinner time when you absolutely DO not want to eat. But on the positive side, somtimes when you are frustrated becaus we dont understand you-- just saying 'please' gets you exactly what you need (most of the time). Generally you are easy going and very social. So social that you say HI to pretty much anyone you pass ANYWHERE you are.... this includes walking up to get communion at church. Good thing you are unbelievably cute.

You have a big heart and you LOVE babies. In fact, so much so that you will stop in your tracks to look and touch one if you see one. We went to a baptism this past weekend and you didnt need any other entertainment besides the cute little baby getting a 'bath.' And then you held his hand afterward and wouldnt let go. The little things you do just make me want to squeeze you until you pop. I have a feeling that this is a good sign that you will be an EXCELLENT big brother in just a few short months. I know you will be a helper to mommy because you already are.

This has been one great summer since you are such a free spirit. It's been such a joy taking you to amusement parks, family parties, cookouts, pools, parks, playdates,vacations, weddings and more. Your love of music continues to amaze us, and it's simply adorable to watch you break out into dance albiet in the car, in our living room, or in the center of 40 people at my best friends wedding. That was one of the best memories was watching you dancing and having the time of your life to the live band at Caroline's wedding. Everyone there was drawn to you by your cuteness-- you spent the entire evening on the dance floor! Right now, you cant get enough of the song Ants go Marching One by One... i am pretty sur eyou have listened to it atleast 1,200 times in the last week. And you keep wanting it.. "MARCH!!" Fortunately you are so polite and sweet when you ask. How could we say no? And how can we not lovve watching you actually march around the living room in cirlces for an endless amount of time.

I am also amazed by your wide taste palatte. YOu genunely love to eat fruit and veggies.. AND I LOVE IT TOO!! You expecially love peaches now (good thing they taste amazing this time of year!) and apple-- specially apple sauce "sauce." But you will also eat any berry, melon, or banana that comes your way. YOu even like pretty much any citris fruits too-- lemons, limes, oranges. You would probably like grapefruits, too, if we kept them on hand except your mommy and daddy absolutely hate them. But ill buy some just for you.

Boy do i miss you when i have to go to work. Mondays and tuesdays are expecially hard becuase of all the time i get to spend the days before. I think about your non-stop.... and i could pretty much watch you interact with the world and do nothing else for the rest of my time and be the happiest person on earth. You are beautiful both inside and out, and it really shows in everything you do. I mean it when i say i cant get enough you... you make my days happier just by getting to be wih you. And the hugs and kisses you freely give out certainly only make it even better. You love to snuggle, you

My Snow Globe

So it's 8:15am on a January morning and both of my sweet boys are sleeping upstairs. It's a Saturday and so my husband is also sleeping. I am awake, sipping my coffee from the office looking out the window to a white front yard and snow falling in light little flakes like a scene from a movie.  The kind of snow hat is beautiful (and not dangerous to ride out in since we have plans in just a couple hours to meet friends).  I sit here this morning, and the past few mornings, thinking about how happy I am. I have this overwhelming sense of contentment and joy... I cant say it's something I've never felt, but honestly it's a feeling I have had for this  long a time. 


I have to admit when Chris was born just 8 weeks ago I felt the gambit of emotions; fear, happiness, tiredness, stress, pain... you name it, I felt it.  Now that I have a few weeks with both of them I am learning that the love I have for my entire family is to profound and so deep I don't need anything else in this world. Every day is a snow day for us these days that I am not at a work... and we don't even need snow. It feels like that  because I wake up with hope and excitement, I cant wait to see how the day will unfold.  I love to see what my boys will surprise me with today, what will they that do that will make me laugh, what new thing will they do, what is going to come next. I am falling even more in love with them each day, and watching Nick interact with his baby brother melts my heart into a thousand pieces every time. From the kisses in the morning, to bringing me his 'blanket's aka burp clothes wherever we go, and patting him on the belly when he is crying, I don't even know where to stop.  He has surprised me and exceeded beyond expectation how mature, caring, and selfless he is. And he is only two!! He understands the concepts of sharing, too. He lets Chris hold his favorite thing in the world when he is upset-- his Mickey.  And he does love mickey because he brings him everywhere he goes, feeds him, bathes him, dances with him, sleeps with him, everything. It's adorable and precious. And memories of him I never want to let go of.


Everything about being home with my kids makes me happy. Yes, there are hard moments... but they are just that. Moments. fleeting and manageable because they are just that, moments.  It's the rest of the day that makes me happy.   Life is surprisingly easy, too. I get lots of stuff done because nick is so happy just to be in the same room with me. And to feel included.  I couldn't ask for a better kid, he can explore and play anywhere as long as I am with him and honestly, I wouldn't want him anywhere else. I love it when he is with me... he is my little grown up, because sometimes I cant believe all the things he can do and help me with.. and understand at such a small age.  This quality time together is important for both of us.  And I wish it never has to end.


I am going back to work in about a month and my heart hurts all over thinking about it. But right now I am sitting here in the office looking at the little snow globe I am in right now and feeling so happy. In a snow globe everything looks perfect and you imagine what it would be like from the outside. But this snow globe on the inside really is perfect. I have hit the jack pot with such a loving husband and two beautiful children, and a wonderful support network all around me.  Thank you, God.

Dear Nick- Month 24 (2 years)

Dear Nick-- We celebrated your two year birthday just a couple weeks ago, I cant believe how the time has past. You are now a BIG BROTHER!! And a spectacular one, too. You have made being a mom of two an absolute joy... and I love watching you love on your little brother Chris. You give him hugs and kisses multiple times a day, tell me when he is crying, want to watch his diaper changes, participate in his baths, and lay on the floor with him on his jungle matt. It's so adorable! And the look chris gives you when he can see you eye to eye...I know he is going to really look up to you when he grows older. And there is so much to look up, too.

You are really flourishing into a beautiful person. You are very kind and gentle. You play really well with other kids, you seem so social. And you are also very smart. YOu are great and putting together puzzles, sorting, matching, and figuring things out. You LOVE trains. It's by far your biggest source of joy these days... and frustration. When the track breaks and the longest train cant go through the tunnel without 'fall tack' -- translation' falling off the track.' But what can you expect. I am constantly hearing 'help you' because you want us to 'help you.' In fact, you are saying it right now as I am trying to write this to you. And you carry every single one of the train cars over to me.

Your vocabulary is astounding to us... and you seem to acquire words overnight and all of a sudden you say words I didn't even know you knew. And they are clear as day. You continue to excel in your physical abilities too. You can throw and kick balls as accurate as someone five times your age. Oh and should I start on your singing? It's probably the cutest thing ever. You single 'tinkle little star' your 'abcs' and 'happy birth oo you'' with 'aandles'. but if it's a song you don't like you tell us immediately to 'stoppit!" YOu request Barbara Ann every time we put you in the car, and we MUST play it over and over again because you will continue to ask us. I am teaching you all kinds of chrismas songs now, too, and you love the Santa Claus is coming to town song. Although you really are not a fan of santa at all. He came to see everyone on thanksgiving this year and you wanted no part of him. You know exactly who he is and what he does, but really, he doesn't look like someone you want to be around. He is no Grandpa Bob... you are love struck for him.

I am loving being on maternity leave and getting to spend every day with you. You show me new things every day. You are the quintessential toddler in my opinion, and I watch you every day and just look at you in awe. I am so lucky I get to be your mommy because you are one heck of a kid. I love how exciting you get for such benign things, I cant help but get excited too. Whether it's running around and sneaking up on you before bath times, or getting ready to watch your new train set go down the next hill... it's a thrill to be around you. I love it when you look at us and tilt our chin down and look up at me and say 'ready?' and in all seriousness before the excitement about what's coming next. It's how I feel about you and the joy you are going to bring to your growing family . Thank you for being you, and happy birthday my sweet little bear. We love you so much.

  Love, Mommy

Dear Nicholas- Month 17

Dear my sweet little Nick,

It's been a few months since since your birthday, and suffice it to say you are flourishing into a beautiful and adorable toddler. The things you can do now I cant even begin to list.  You are so inquisitive and active, you are almost constantly on the move.   You still love to throw balls, and of course yell " Baaaaw" when you are doing it.  Your aim and strength still amazes us, you are so accurate! We just need to teach you how to catch next.  You are just starting to jump., you have been trying to do this for a while but havent quite got yourself off the ground. That is until recently.  You run and scamper all over the house, and you love to be outside playing at the park or with your cousins are grandma's house.  Slides thrill you to no end, and you could spend hours on a swing if someone will push you.  You dont need much to keep you entertained, but you are always active and exploring something no matter where you are.

You understanding of the world around you and the english language is beyond my expectations, you continiously surprise me by what you understand. Your sign language for the first to take off- and you really used it well but now your language development is ever growing. You say new words daily now, i am surprise at how well you try to repeat words I say.   You can say well over a dozen words now, but understand way more than that.  I love to hear your voice, and even though you say words now your babble still continues to be music to our ears. We always hear your teachers say how talkative you are, and we see it too!! You always have lots to say, and we will gladly listen!
Some of my favorite words you recently learned in the last month:
Shooo (shoe)
Pleee (Please)
Baa ( Bath)
Mo (More)
Dee (Odie)
Na na (Banana)
Hiii (Hi)
Bye

I know there are lots of others, but those that come to mind the fastest.  You are always imitating us, and it's surprising to see what you pick up from us that we dont even realize you were paying attention. You are SO smart! And most of all, SO loving. My favorite thing you learned recently was kiss- now when I ask for a kiss you actually lean in and give me one and it's probably the best thing even. Maybe second to your grizzly hugs that you give out freely that make my heart sing.

You make every day better and I am so glad you are in my life. I cant wait for a great summer ahead!

Love you always,
Mommy